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Working With and For Children

Corbin Peterson makes a difference in the lives of kids

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When not at work, Corbin Peterson loves spending time in his wood-working shop at home. Photo courtesy of Corbin Peterson.

Name: Corbin PetersonPosition: Physician assistant, Department of DermatologyYears at Duke: 46

What I do at Duke: As a physician assistant, I specifically handle laser dermatology and provide treatments like removing birthmarks off children, hemangioma and a lot of cosmetic work on veins and rosacea. We stay really busy.

If I had $5 million, I would: Retire and start a soup kitchen. It's something I've always thought about doing if I had enough money to help those in need. If I was hungry and didn't have a place to stay, I know I'd at least want something to eat. It's something easy I could do to help.

My first ever job: I worked as a grocery clerk for a couple summers in high school. It was a store called Jack and Jill's in Bridgeport, Nebraska.

My dream job: I pretty much have it right now. I couldn't ask for a better job than what I've got. I have the best boss in the world, and I love working with kids. We get to help a lot of people, especially kids that get teased because of birthmarks or something on their face or skin. It's terrible the way some of these kids are treated so it's rewarding to help them.

If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: I'm an avid wood worker and I even have my own shop at home. I build a lot of furniture. About 15 years ago, my brother-in-law died, and he was starting a shop of his own - he was a wonderful wood worker. My sister gave me everything he had even though I didn't know anything about wood working. I made a lot of mistakes, but now I've made things like book cases, tables, my own king-sized bed, China cabinets and more.

The best advice I ever received: Come to Duke. My boss in the Navy - a doctor in charge of the cardiology department at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia - told me to do it and I don't regret ever coming here.

What I love about Duke: I've gotten to know a million people in the years I've been here. It's nice to have friends you see every day, even if it's just to stop and talk for a second. People at Duke are really friendly.

If I could have one superpower, it would be: The Midas touch, so anything I touch would turn to gold - but only if I wanted it to.

Something most people don't know about me: My love for kids that come to our department at Duke. Seeing and experiencing what these kids go through is tough. Kids come in here and share stories about what their life is like at school and what they have to put up with because of something on their skin. Being able to help them through that is really rewarding.